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Books
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Also newly
reissued is a two volume interpretation by Pollack of The
Haindl Tarot (Volume 1: The Major Arcana and Volume II: The Minor Arcana)
from New Page Books. These titles explore the cards through one specific
deck, designed by the German artist/esotericist Hermann Haindl. Haindl's
richly colored, deeply textured Tarot is one of the most beautiful and
mysterious versions of the cards available; Pollack's books bring
her intelligence and erudition to the interpretation of this deck.
When it comes to finding the deep, esoteric meanings of the Tarot, perhaps
no book delves farther down than the mysteriously, anonymously-penned
Meditations on the Tarot: A Journey Into Christian Hermeticism,
recently reissued in a new paperback edition by Tarcher/Putnam.
The author of this 650-page tome was likely a European Catholic monk
who devoted a lifetime to the attainment of hidden knowledge from centuries
past. He died in 1973, just as the modern interest in Tarot studies
was getting underway: in other words, this is a book that fully pre-dates
the “new age” era of Tarot studies, and hence contains nothing
but profound insight into the grand tradition of western mysticism of
which the Tarot plays a major part. Definitely not for the beginner,
but indispensable to anyone dedicated to mastering the secrets of the
cards.
If you're looking for something a little bit lighter, try Gail
Fairfield's Everyday Tarot: Using the Cards to Make Better
Life Decisions (Weiser Books). A reissue of Fairfield's
classic Choice Centered Tarot, the method of card interpretation presented
here does not worry over arcane secrets of medieval hermeticism, but
rather cuts to the chase: how can you use the cards to live a happier
and more fulfilled life? Looking at numerological, elemental, and symbolic
meanings in the cards, Fairfield's method of interpretation is simple,
direct and accessible. Straightforward advice on Tarot spreads and how
to do an effective reading round out this classic book.
Finally: here's a naughty Tarot deck: The Decameron Tarot,
with artwork by Giacinto Gaudenzi (Lo Scarabeo/ Llewellyn). Erotic
cards are nothing new; several attractive decks can be found on the
market. What sets this Tarot apart is a basic sense of playfulness in
the images, as well as diversity: even a few lesbian and gay images
appear in this Bacchanalian romp. Forewarned is forearmed: the images
are explicit: definitely adults only.
Carl
McColman is a metaphysical writer and teacher based in Atlanta. His
latest book is When Someone You Love is Wiccan. He is
a teacher and reader at Phoenix and Dragon.
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Spirit